Buckingham Palace Does Not Deny Rumors that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Could Move to Africa

Prince Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex only recently moved out of Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace and into Frogmore Cottage, their new home near Windsor Castle. But according to a new article published over the weekend, they could have another, even bigger move on the horizon.

In this week's issue of the Sunday Times, Tim Shipman and Roya Nikkhah report that "Courtiers have drawn up plans to hand the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a major international job that could see them moving abroad after the birth of their child."

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According to a source, the job could take the couple to Africa.

"Discussions are at an early stage, but the plan is to find a new way of using their soft power abilities, most likely in Africa," the insider said.

A move would likely not take place until at least 2020, and exactly where they would live is still unclear. The Times reports that "a decision on where they would be based is unlikely to be taken until 2020 when they have settled down with their new baby which is due within days."

“Britain is their home and where they want to raise their family,” a source close to the couple told Scobie. “If they are to work abroad it would be a short stint.”

More specifically, Scobie's source said that Meghan and Harry likely not be leaving the U.K. for more than a year.

"Both the duke and duchess are keen to balance projects in Britain and overseas, particularly countries in Africa," the source says. "There are many exciting possibilities … but moving away for years? That’s not an idea they are throwing around. We’re talking a few months away or a series of trips."

Over the course of his life, Harry has spent time in several African countries. For example, here is footage from his 2015 visit to Kruger National Park in South Africa, where he can be heard discussing rhino poaching with a park ranger.

Harry and Meghan also notably traveled to Botswana together early on in their relationship in 2017. A move like this could also indicate an increasing role within the Commonwealth for both the Duke and Duchess. As things currently stand, Meghan is the Vice President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, and Prince Harry is the group's President. He is also the Commonwealth youth ambassador.

It's also undeniable that such a move, even a short one, would fuel fire of a rumored rift between Harry and his brother William.

On Sunday morning, Buckingham Palace issued a statement about the Times article, but did not deny the reports that Harry and Meghan could move away from the U.K. in the years to come. “Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles," reads the statement, according to reporter Richard Palmer.

“The Duke will continue to fulfill his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.”

Buckingham Palace is not denying a report that officials have discussed sending Harry and Meghan to Africa as a way of capitalising on their appeal to young people in the Commonwealth - and of putting further distance between them and the Cambridges.